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The transcontinental railroad was highly significant. Past atrocities don’t negate the unique role the railroad played in a centuries-long process, especiallY w
by ineedasername 2y ago
The transcontinental railroad was highly significant. Past atrocities don’t negate the unique role the railroad played in a centuries-long process, especiallY when a major stage of it was enabled by the railroad: https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/TRR https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/TRR
- edmundsauto 2y agoSimilarly, the unique role the railroad played does not negate the atrocities that were part and parcel of its development. When talking about civilization-progressing technologies, it is not possible to focus entirely on the technology. Unless we're also willing to talk about Facebook as a generation-redefining technology that altered how people interact, without mentioning the negatives. I'm sure people will attempt to do that a century from now; it will be wrong then as well.